Tara Murray
New Hume mayor Joseph Haweil hopes to inspire young people to take an interest in politics.
At just 31, Cr Haweil becomes the second youngest overall and youngest male mayor in Hume, after being elected unanimously on Thursday night as the new council was sworn in.
He said his father could never have imagined that his son would become mayor of Hume, after coming to the city as a refugee many years ago.
He paid tribute to his wife and family in his first speech as mayor.
“I express my immense gratitude to you all for bestowing this honour on me,” he said.
“In this role I will support and champion Australian values like mutual respect, tolerance, passion for those in need and equality of opportunity.
“Those who know me well know my interest in public service and politics have been rooted in my upbringing and values. These include fairness, justice and support for the vulnerable, in my life family, faith and community have been seminal.”
Cr Haweil said helping residents and businesses through the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic remained a massive focus of the new council.
He said they would prioritise work on projects, while looking to federal and state governments for funding to get projects moving, such as the redevelopment of the Broadmeadows train station, major road duplications, delivery of the Bulla Bypass and Outer Metropolitan Ring Road and new bus services.
Cr Haweil said there were a number of issues he remained passionate about and would seek to champion for.
They include reforming council’s community hiring policy, to make council facilities cheaper and easier to access, continuing the strong legacy of the past council on indented parking, combating the impacts of gambling harm in Hume, supporting youth training and internship opportunities, and incentivising businesses to employ local people.
Jack Medcraft will serve as deputy mayor.
Five new councillors were sworn in on Thursday night.
In Aitken ward, councillors Haweil, Jodi Jackson and Carly Moore have all been elected for a second term. Jim Overend will serve on council for the first time.
In the Meadow Valley ward, councillors Naim Kurt and Karn Sherry have been elected for a second time, joined by first-time councillors Chris Hollow and Sam Misho.
Cr Medcraft, who will represent Jacksons Creek ward, is the most experienced councillor on the present council, after being elected for a fourth term.
He is joined by first-timers, Jarrod Bell and Trevor Dance. Cr Dance missed the meeting, but was sworn in the previous day.
Long-time councillors Drew Jessop and Ann Potter failed to be re-elected, while Geoff Porter, Jana Taylor and Leigh Johnson did not stand for re-election.
